Descartes Route Software Used by GEFCO in Optimization Studies

Automotive logistics specialist GEFCO has deployed route optimization software from Descartes Systems Group to respond to calls for tenders and to support its regional businesses with optimization studies.

With a presence across 47 countries, GEFCO manages several million shipments a year on behalf of its customers. The automotive logistics company has chosen Descartes’ route optimization software for the planning of its European transport activity. However, rather than using it to schedule and plan actual operational routes – the usual function of the software – GEFCO has deployed the software to better respond to calls for tenders and carry out internal studies.

“Descartes route optimization software was originally conceived and designed to be deployed in an operational capacity within our regional businesses to manage collection and distribution rounds. We, however, have now adopted it for internal use at a corporate level, to respond to calls for tenders and support our regional business units by undertaking centralised optimization studies,” explains Charles Fouche, GEFCO’s Engineering & Optimization Manager.

Within the tender process, Descartes route optimization software functionality allows GEFCO to take into account the unique constraints of each customer, helping GEFCO to run route simulations and to formulate proposals which are much more precise and relevant, ultimately offering more value to customers. “Thanks to Descartes, we have won tenders,” adds Fouche.
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